Syncopation: meaning, definitions and examples

Often used in musical contexts to describe a rhythm that includes unexpected beats or accents. It is frequently associated with genres like jazz, funk, and reggae.

• The jazz band's syncopation made the performance lively.
• She loved the syncopation in that pianist's solo.

Commonly used to describe music that emphasizes the weak or unaccented beats. It's also used metaphorically to describe something unconventional or quirky.

• The drummer's offbeat style gave the song a unique flavor.
• His offbeat sense of humor always made us laugh.

A technical musical term used to describe the shifting of the expected pattern of beats. It is primarily discussed in music theory and analysis.

• The professor explained rhythmic displacement in the context of modern classical music.
• Rhythmic displacement can add complexity to a simple melody.

Describes any rhythm that doesn't follow a regular pattern, often found in avant-garde or experimental music. It can also appear in literature when describing patterns that defy regularity.

• The composer's use of irregular rhythm caught everyone off guard.
• The poem was written in an irregular rhythm, which added to its mystique.